Specific requirements for scrap metal dealers

As a licence holder, you must comply with the requirements for all licence holders and the general requirements for secondhand dealers as they apply to scrap metal. Below is a brief summary of the specific requirements of secondhand dealers as they apply to scrap metal dealers.

Dealers records for scrap metal transactions

All licence holders must keep a "dealers record" in respect to all scrap metal that they acquire. Your "dealers record" must include the following details:

the full name, contact address, and contact telephone number (if any) of the person from whom you acquired the scrap metal;
the manner in which you verified the person's identity ;
the person's date of birth;
the person's signature;
a description of the nature and quantity of the scrap metal acquired;
the name and signature of the person who conducted the transaction on your behalf; and
the date of the transaction.

This information must be added to your dealers record as soon as practicable after the information is available.

Offences relating to dealers records

It is an offence to, without reasonable excuse:

fail to keep a "dealers record";
fail to record the required information; or
fail to record that information as soon as practicable.

It is also an offence to make a false entry in your dealers record.

You could be liable to a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted of any of these offences.

Requirements when dealing with copper

If you acquire "copper in any form" you must comply with the requirements that apply to "articles".

Dealers records

When purchasing "copper in any form" your dealers record must include the following details:

the full name, contact address, and contact telephone number (if any) of the person from whom you acquired the scrap metal;
the manner in which you verified the person's identity ;
the person's date of birth;
the person's signature;
a description of the article and its serial number or other unique identifier, if any;
the price you paid to purchase the copper;
the number you assigned to the copper item;
the name and signature of the person who conducted the transaction on your behalf; and
the date of the transaction.

Where the copper has an apparent resale value of more than $40, the information on your dealers record must also include:

the date on which it copper was sold; or
an account of how and when the article was otherwise disposed of.

Retention of article for 14 days

When you acquire copper you must retain the item of copper in an unaltered state for 14 days from the date of the transaction. For that first 14 days after the transaction, you must store the article in a place that can be reasonably conveniently inspected by a member of police.

Labelling of article

You must also attach a label to the copper you acquire. This label must remain attached to the copper until you have sold it or otherwise disposed of it.

There are exceptions to the obligations to retain and label the copper you obtain. See the rules for dealing with articles acquired as part of a group.

Offences

If you fail to comply with the retention and labelling requirements that apply to "copper in any form" you will be committing an offence. You could be liable to a $10,000 fine if convicted of failing to comply with the retention and labelling requirements.